Warning! The following contains spoilers from The Mandalorian episode called "The Jedi". Read at your own risk!
The latest episode of The Mandalorian gave audiences a lot to chew on, and while many are likely still thinking about the name "Grogu" or the first live-action appearance of Ahsoka Tano, others are probably already looking ahead to the future and what comes next for The Child now that Ahsoka has refused to train him. Specifically, it's worth considering the potential Jedi that Din Djarin is hoping to find who may agree to train The Child.
With such a short list of known Jedi potentially living in this era, some interesting names have surfaced as to who this person could be. One popular name that has surfaced is Cal Kestis, the hero of the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The character, played by Cameron Monaghan, would be a great addition to The Mandalorian, though those who have played the game may understand exactly why he won't be the Jedi Knight that trains Grogu in the force.
How Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Contradicts The Idea Cal Would Train Grogu
Star Wars: Jedi: Fallen Order takes place in the era between Episode III and IV, and features Cal Kestis searching the galaxy for a Holocron that contained everything he'd need to restore the Jedi Order. This included information on where to seek out Force-sensitive younglings, who were dispersed throughout the galaxy.
Cal ultimately obtains the Holocron, but only after narrowly escaping an Inquisitor base while being pursued by Darth Vader. Cal and friends decided the Holocron was too valuable to risk the Empire obtaining it once again, and Cal destroyed it hoping that the Force would ultimately guide these Force-sensitive children to their destiny.
One of the reasons Cal felt this way was due to a vision he had shortly before obtaining the Holocron. In this vision, the Empire found Cal and the children he located via the use of the Holocron and began trying to capture or wipe them out. Essentially Cal realized that putting all these children in one place wasn't just a risk to their safety, but an opportunity for the Empire to capture and train these children into their own ranks. Cal had no interest in training these children, so it doesn't track that he'd want to train Grogu in The Mandalorian.
Plus, it's worth mentioning that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order ends shortly after Cal destroys the Holocron. With such a large gap of time between the events of the game and The Mandalorian, it's impossible to say whether or not Cal Kestis is even alive in this time period. That's not to say he isn't, but given the fact that he intended on continuing his fight against the Empire, the risk of him meeting his end is higher than had he remained in hiding.
It's Not Impossible That Cal Kestis Appears In The Mandalorian
While the odds of Cal Kestis appearing in The Mandalorian to train Grogu may be low, it's far from impossible. There's obviously a chance that Cal is still alive circa The Mandalorian's place in the timeline following Return of the Jedi, even though pissing off Darth Vader is not the best way to ensure survival in a galaxy far, far away. It's possible he's still alive and kicking, which means he could be someone who appears in The Mandalorian after all.
It also should be said that while The Empire was a huge problem in the galaxy during Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the remnants are more or less scattered and on the run in The Mandalorian. The impression may be that it's much safer to train Jedi now, and we know from the newer Star Wars movies that Luke Skywalker did that with Ben Solo and others. It's possible Cal Kestis felt the same way and ended up trying to restart the Jedi Order with his own crew.
Let's also not forget that the character of Cal Kestis was physically based on Cameron Monaghan, so the casting process for the character would practically be complete. The only hangup would be Cal aging a few decades more than Monaghan currently looks, but with modern Hollywood technology de-aging actors, I'm sure Star Wars can do as equally good a job at aging them.
And yes, for anyone currently wondering, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is official canon. This means that if Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau wish to use Cal or any of the game's story in their tale, it's fair game to do so. That means any fans who aren't that video game savvy may want to read up on its story, especially as Disney continues to flesh out and expand its new canon.
That Said, It Wouldn't Make Sense For Cal To Train Grogu
Cal may be a Jedi Knight, but it's a stretch to say he's the best candidate to train a young Force-sensitive like Grogu. Cal Kestis was only a Padawan at the time of Order 66 and lived in hiding for a good portion of years that followed before re-establishing his link with The Force.
That's not to say Cal couldn't have become a more proficient and experienced Jedi in the decades that followed, but none of that was explained in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This is the story of The Mandalorian, so I wouldn't imagine the series would take a detour to fill in the gaps between what audiences know about Cal (if they know anything about the video game character) to flesh out and explain how his skills have improved over the years.
Plus, Cal Kestis is still a relatively new character to Star Wars. If Din Djarin and Grogu are to find a Jedi to train with, one would imagine it'll be one with a little more name-recognition amongst the fandom at large. Cal is an undeniably cool character, but would his name get fans as excited as Luke Skywalker, or even a Force Ghost of Yoda? I doubt it, though that doesn't mean I'm against the idea of him eventually appearing in a Star Wars live-action series soon.
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